The Revolution Has Begun

Ending the war on drugs even if violence is used would simply be a positive use of violent action. There's many different levels of violence. For instance when I eat my veggie sandwich for lunch that is one form of violence, when you eat a hamburger that is another form of violence, and when a cop throws my ass up against the car, verbally abuses me then sends me "downtown" over a gram of herb and I take it to the courts and get probation that is another form of violence.

By ending the war on drugs we do something so much more huge than simply legalizing a substance we enjoy. Here's why: right now our current economic system and technological expansion has resulted in this requirement for outsourcing which leaves specific construction companies the opportunity to make double what they normally would when constructing American jails.

It's almost as though less workers are needed in America at this point in time and in order to fill the surplus humanity with profitability jails are being made a rediculously fast rate. The products required to make the jails are made overseas in countries like El Salvador where workers work for 60 cents an hour whereas if these jobs were given to American workers they would be paid around $10 an hour, but that is not the only social injustice that is tied in with the war on drugs.

Also due to the fact that the construction of jails are so profitable at this point in time because of outsourcing these companies tend to work with the government to promote this "tough on crime" and "anti-drug" rhetoric. This results in 2/3 of our prison systems being filled with non-violent drug offenders and America's lower class who simply can't fight the system to prove their innocence.

This further adds to statistics that the poor, young, and cultural minorities in our country are full of criminals when 1,000s of the people who are convincted are innocent. These are aspects of the War on Drugs that simply disgust me. And I feel it is completely necessary to take any force required to fight the sick fucks that promote this racism, corporate corruption, oppression, and media induced dishonesty.

I don't know about you, but personally I'm tired of letting this go on any longer. Medicinal patients need marijauna, and we can no longer allow it to be a scapegoat so that the "elite" minority can use our beloved plant to profit and oppress. If it takes violence to stop this WAR than let it be. You'll be saving more lives than you harm.

 

I'm not going to fight a violent revolution over marijuana. I would fight for our rights in general, however, if it came down to that. I'd prefer to do it Ghandi style, but I don't think America really has the cultural or religious background for nonviolence. Yeah, we have "turn the other cheek" but we also have all kinds of violent Bible passages to counter it ("I came to bring the sword" for example). Besides, Americans tend to be rather violent, just look at our murder rates. Of course, all humans can be and are violent, I'm just saying I don't know if Americans would readilly adopt a nonviolent stance for any revolution.

However, sometimes it may be right to fight, if it's for a truly good reason. Fighting a totalitarian state who robs us of our freedoms would be right.

Anyways, I agree with Element7, all we have to do is speak up, stop living in fear and start arguing our case. Join NORML or other pro-pot organizations, write your congressmen, get involved any way you can. Talk to others, convince them that overcrowding our jails with nonviolent drug offenders is not helpful to society. Firstly, Pot smokers themselves form a significant percentage of the population, but moreso, pro-pot people (though many may not smoke it) form a much larger percentage. Many Americans understand the folly of the drug war, especially with regards to marijuana. They just need to raise their voices.

 

You actually want me to believe that this fantasy revolution of yours has "just begin". It started in the 60s ended in the 70s.

 

Just shut up if you're not going to say anything positive...

 

This is a free speech forum and my opinion matters just as much as yours. Forget about that eh?

 

Ghandi had violent Indian rebels with *gasp* guns to help him fight his revolution. Ghandi himself said, "I would rather have India resort to arms in order to defend her honour than that she should in a cowardly manner become or remain a hopeless witness to her own dishonour," and further more writting your congressmen does nothing, do you want me to send you all the computer automated responses I have recieved? Or even better all the written responses I've recieved? Oh wait I've never gotten a written responses because my congressmen in both massachusetts and florida think marijauna is a dangerous drug. They're not listening. I've been a member of NORML since I was 15 what have they done to progress this movement? Nothing since then the laws have become more oppressive and we're losing more because of them. It's almost as if people still think the government works in your interest...

 

I'm just saying, if people spoke up, the gov't would listen. The majority would support us, if they'd open their mouths, we'd be alright. But as it is, a tiny minority are out there working for it through NORML and such, and writing letters. So small a number that they can be comfortably ignored.

 

^^^^^^Knows his shit.
Your right, trying to reason with the government is like talking to a wall. Decades of protesting and complaining has actually increased restrictions, Now all medical marijuana use is illegal. So when will people learn that no one higher up realy gives a shit what they have to say? Im not saying go out and shoot as many politicians as you can find, Just find a better method to get the message through.

 

if diplomacy fails, and violence is not suggested, what's left?

 

It's very true that reason with gov/corp doesn't seem to work. It's also true that a very small minority of people are the ones actually trying to do something about it. It's easy to point fingers and say that it's not accomplishing anything when you can sit on the sidelines and simply be a spectator. People need to represent for themselves and get involved instead of just watching it like a football game or something. Thing is most pot smokers I know are just too scared to speak up, too scared to witness any wrongdoing, too scared to stick out, too scared, too scared. But if the next time that cop threw you up against the car, they suddenly had an audience holding them accountable, in person, maybe it might change some things. They get away with a hell of alot just because they can, because they know that people are scared of them in general. It's that fear that propels the machine further, so maybe it's just a start to simply stand up and be counted. If you wanna lock and load and go up against the machine like that, it will win, hands down buddy. Their weaponry is far more advanced than anything you'll ever lay your hands on. I for one have no desire to go that route, it's a slaughter. K peace.

 

but it's unneccesary when you're just being a dick.

 

And the invariable question here, is, what exactly are you suggesting to do? I wrote to my senator, I'll go to rallies when I know about them, besides starting some kind of propaganda campaign and become some pot revolutionary, what is there to do? The only way the war on drugs would end is for congress or the judicial system or the president to call it off. I dont see any of those really happening anytime soon.

 

What we have to do is show the people that we have alternatives. And we need other movements specifically the anti-globalization movement, the anti-rascism movement, and the human rights movement to help us fight this machine. After all it is all relative and those movements have more credibility at this point in time than those who are solely pro-marijuana activists. Now I never said go out and blast your politicians that would be insane, and simply wrong because there are a small minority of politicians on our side. But in order to actually make a difference I don't believe it will be done peacefully. We just need to ban together, bring the movements together, and see where it takes us. The whole system needs to be brought down.

 

So you're suggesting the solution to this profound problem is complete anarchy. I'll make a promise. When that happens I'll kill you because with anarchy and no "system" there won't be laws telling me I can't. You're a dumbass for suggesting that.

Like the outlaw of alcohol in the 30's, our only true power is time. Change happens overtime and is more effecient when done so. Forcing a sudden change is only foolish. Such as the French Revolution. If we can barely pass medicinal marijuana off how do you suppose when can legalize it recreationally.

 

Hate to tell ya but medical marijuana is no longer legal and its only getting worse.

 

Look man let me put it to you this way, this current system needs to be brought down. We need to end corporate globalization and instill fair trade. We need enforce ecological laws. We need to go back to our roots and end the economical market that leaves more and more people hungry every day. And we need to legalize marijuana and free the 2/3's of our prisons that are nonviolent drug offenders. We also need to legalize medicinal marijauna. And there are thousands of people out there, in America and globally who want a better life and feel that the current system is out dated. This isn't anarchy. We need environmental and fair trade regulations. We need to keep rapists, murders in our country and globally off the streets. And we need to make sure everyone eats. We have to make babylon fall and install a unified system that offers a better way of life. And if you don't want to help then the system's just gunna end up caving in on itself. How long can we go polluting our air, toxifying our water, oppressing one another, killing off our planet, killing each other, and torturing each other before the whole thing caves in? I'm sure by then the consequences will be a lot worse than if we correct the problem now.

 

What you are suggesting is communism. Go to china if you prefer communism. Marx's communism wil never work. All you're suggesting is a revolution, but you're suggesting we should bring everything down for minor subjects. There's no way to feed all the poor. Corporate globalization has only come about because of capitalism which is by far better than communism. And by being this so called system down and institution which is essentially communism it would only put more power into the men and women in charge. Face it what we have now is what we have to deal with. Any Revolution will fail and make things worse.

 

I dont know, capitolism isn't that great... Communism seems good on paper, but theres too much coruption from the people running it. Capitolism on the other hand, is ruined by greedy people who exploit the lower classes. Complete anarchy wouldn't work, but I like the Libertarian ideal of "You leave me alone, I'll leave you alone". Maybe libertarianism with added concern for the poor, because I dont mind taxes if they go to a good place, just not all to the senator's pockets...

 

Capitalism is good for you but you're not out starving on the streets. First of all it's very simple to end a lot of the world's hunger. Rather than forcing people to farm beef and horticulture for export, the people of third world countries should be able to grow rice and beans for their own consumption. That could end an immense amount of hunger in poverished countries.

Let's take a look at a few capitalistic societies since Capitalism is oh so great..

India is a country that in 1810 was exporting more textiles (not just beautiful silks) but mass quantities of textiles to England, China, and a number of other places than it is today. It was a developed nation that faded away because of corporate globalization or british imperialism whatever you want to call it. Now it is a CAPITALIST nation that suffers immense poverty.

Other countries include: Argentina, Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, etc.

**Everyone of those 15 capitalist countries are third world countries.

The reason China doesn't work under Marxist theory is that it wasn't a part of the global communist movement. It individually became a communist government under MAO Zedong. The thing is unlike capitalism which harms the world's ecology and humanity as it spreads worldwide, this alternative would prosper. It needs global cooperation and it could produce amazing things. But shit look what capitalism has contributed... the U.S., portions of western Europe, etc. But the majority of capitalist countries are third world countries. These nations were developed but no longer are because of imperialism that is the opposite of any sort of progression.

 

I agree, the poor could be fed. Modern society is very efficient and very productive. The problem is mismanagement. We waste land growing beef (and feed for beef) and other livestock when we could grow human grade crops. Further, we waste tons of food. We waste fuel, and other resources as well.

Capitalism is good, but needs a more ethical outlook, compassion for others. Profit should not be an end, but a means to an end, and that end should be helping others.

well, it's been nearly 70 years. That's a lot more than the, what, 13 years of alcohol prohibition? Time is ticking, change is not forthcoming. What do you propose we do? Keep waiting, keep being thrown in jail or probation, paying huge fines for smoking a plant?